PHOENIX (AP) -Brandon Webb pitched six efficient innings in his best outing of the spring, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1 Thursday.

Webb, who entered the game with an 8.18 ERA, gave up a run and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Advertisement

``They had a pretty good lineup out there today so it was good to get those outs and get that confidence going into the regular season,' the 2006 Cy Young winner said.

Though Webb described his fastball as ``erratic,' he said he had ``a good curveball that I was able to locate' and that his changeup worked as well.

Jeff Marquez, whose shot at a spot in the White Sox's rotation may be fading, gave up three runs and six hits in four innings. He walked two and struck out one.

``He threw the ball pretty well,' manager Ozzie Guillen said, though he noted Marquez sometimes got in trouble when he fell behind in counts.

``The key for him is to make sure to attack the strike zone,' Guillen said. ``But he threw the ball real well.'

Marquez's status is partly dependent on Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras, who are trying to return from injuries. If one of them isn't ready to start the season, then Clayton Richard likely would be a starter, the manager indicated.

Matt Thornton was back with the White Sox after playing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic and pitched two shutout innings.

Scott Linebrink, Mike MacDougal and Lance Broadway pitched a scoreless inning for the White Sox.

Jim Thome drove in Chicago's run with an RBI single in the first inning. Thome started slowly this spring but lately has raised his average to .289.

For the Diamondbacks, Chad Tracy went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Felipe Lopez went 1-for-2 with two walks.

Chad Qualls and Billy Buckner combined for three shutout innings of relief to close it.

Notes: Webb's final spring start will be Tuesday in a minor league game. Guillen said he plans to carry 12 pitchers to start the season, ``definitely' if Colon and Contreras both are ready to go. He added the White Sox could have three left-handers working out of the bullpen. ... Wilson Betemit, one of Chicago's best hitters this spring, will be used as a backup third baseman, first baseman and DH, the manager said. ``He'll be playing the corners. I don't think he'll see too much action in the middle of the infield.' ... Broadway has taken a big step forward this spring, Guillen said. ``I'm really excited for him. He's in the mix.'... At 9-16, the Diamondbacks are struggling through the worst spring in their 12-season history. Their only other losing springs were 2004 (15-17) and '08, when they were 12-18-1. All time, the D-backs are 209-159-9 in the spring.